"Well, Bo, it looks like we finally made it." LT Mike Stevens, Chief Helmsman, had just reported establishing a polar orbit around Planet XB-2751 in preparation for a detailed sensor scan.

CDR Bo Donati, sitting in the First Officer's chair to the right of Captain Clayton, turned with a devilish look. "We're in orbit alright, Captain, but don't forget, we haven't finished yet."

"There is nothing worse than a Romulan nay-sayer," Clayton announced to no one in particular.

Wolfgang Brookstone, Chief Navigator, looked over at Mike Stevens and rolled his eyes. Mike grinned in return and turned back to his Helmsman console. "That does it for me," Brookstone said as he finished transferring all Navigation functions to the Helmsman station.

"I'm going to whip up a batch of Mexican chili later, Mike. Want to join me?" Brookstone offered.

"Arrgh!" Stevens replied, clutching at his stomach. "I still haven't gotten over the last batch you 'whipped up.' The Doc has me coming in for periodic exams to see if I have any stomach lining left."

"Wimpy gringo!" Brookstone shot back. "The usual place, eight bells?"

Stevens slapped his friend on the arm as Brookstone, his job over now that they were in orbit, headed for the turbolift. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Stoney. See ya then."

Clayton broke into a grin at this exchange. He too, had been privileged to sample Brookstone's famous chili. In spite of the memory of the searing, thickly spiced concoction, his mouth began to water. "I think," Clayton remarked, "that someone with command authority had better make sure you don't poison the crew, Lieutenant. And since I'll be available then, I'd better drop by and do a taste test, if you don't mind."

Wolfgang Amadeus Brookstone, Jr., resident gourmet of the GALILEO, looked over his shoulder at his cousin. "Of course, Captain," he turned back to leave, paused and, as an afterthought, "If you're up to it."

"We'll see, we'll see," Clayton rejoindered.

He, too, left the Bridge, heading for the Bridge Briefing Room. Behind him LCDR Donalbain, the Chief Life Sciences Officer, and LCDR Sri'velm, the Chief Physical Sciences Officer, began to power up Science Stations 1 and 2, preparing to begin the detailed sensor scan of the planet slowly turning beneath the ship. The survey of Planet XB-2751 had finally begun.

LCDR Terry Edwards, Chief Science Officer of the GALILEO, made some final notes on his recorder padd before the briefing. He chuckled to himself. Somehow his department had managed to keep the secret. Of course, Captain Clayton and CDR Donati, the First Officer, knew, but they, too, had kept his secret. It wasn't often Terry got the opportunity to pull off a surprise like this one. He was looking forward to seeing the looks on everyone's faces when he "let the cat out of the bag." He wondered where that odd expression came from.

The briefing was being held in the Main Science Conference Room since so many people were involved. He looked around the room. Neither the Captain nor the First Officer had arrived yet. Few of those attending the briefing had taken their seats. Small groups of people were bunched together, talking among themselves while wafting for the final two attendees to arrive.

MCPO Burke, the Captain's Yeoman, was sitting at the table, making last-minute checks of the recording computer. Edwards stared at her. Does she really know how beautiful she is? Terry wondered. How can she not? But she never seems to let on. He shook his head and wondered about her relationship with Captain Clayton. Ever since the GALILEO had discovered the missing USS CONSTELLATION (NCC-1017) on their first mission and Burke's husband, LT David D. Burke, was officially and finally declared dead, there had been a subtle change in the personal relationship between Kirtland Burke and the ship's Captain. Terry couldn't put his finger on what it was, exactly, but it was there. It seems like every time he needs her, she appears; it's like radar, Terry mused. And the looks he gives her, definitely not the usual Captain/Yeoman relationship. She has a glow now she didn't have before. It makes her just that much more beautiful. His reverie was broken by laughter.

LCDR MacDonald, Assistant Chief Engineer, had obviously delivered the punchline to one of his famous off-color jokes. Somehow Angus always looked as if he just got out of bed after sleeping with his uniform on. If the stories were true, though, MacDonald was a wizard in Engineering. MacDonald had been personally requested by the Captain, so there must be something there--but the man just looked messy.

In another group, several of his Science people were talking with some of the Medical people. ENS Shea O'Neil, ENS Osterhouse, LT Deveraux, LT Angueira, LTJG Martina Cambridge, LT Rammer, LTJG Rick and LT T'Leah were engaged in a heated discussion about something. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, making it impossible for Edwards to tell what the topic involved.

The door opened and Captain Clayton, along with CDR Bo Donati, entered. Conversation died as everyone dove for their seats. Captain Clayton sat down and motioned for LCDR Edwards to begin.

"Captain, Commander Donati," Edward's posture was ramrod stiff, his Marine background taking over. "The purpose of this briefing is to bring you up to date on the latest information on Planet XB-2751." He touched a button on the conference table and a holographic image of the planet sprang to life, rotating slowly in mid air.

"Planet XB-2751 is an M-Class planet orbiting a GClass star. Atmospheric scans indicate the following composition…" As usual, LCDR Edwards began to delve into scientific specifics. Clayton allowed him to continue for a moment then held up his hand.

"Sir?" Edwards' confusion showed.

"Not all of us here, Terry, are as detail-oriented as you," Clayton smiled to take the sting out of his rebuke. "If you don't mind, I'd appreciate a briefing in more general terms."

Edwards nodded, shifted gears, and continued. "XB-2751 is almost identical to Earth, as far as climate and atmosphere is concerned. There are four things which make it stand out: several wide-spread deposits of concentrated dilithium crystals of unusual purity; large areas of topaline, used by both the Federation and the Klingons for life-support systems; wreckage of a spacecraft of unknown origin; and evidence of sentient life located in three areas equidistant from the wreckage."

He was drowned out by the eruption of excited voices around the table. Questions and comments tumbled over one another, making it impossible to understand any of them. The hubbub continued for a couple of minutes. Finally Captain Clayton rose. Slowly the voices died out as one by one the officers noticed the Commanding Officer.

"But that means...." LT Remmer's voice died out, the last to realize what was happening.

"People, please," Clayton admonished quietly. "I realize these are exciting developments, but we must get on with the business at hand." Captain Clayton sat down, satisfied he had their attention. He leaned forward.

"Commander, please continue."

The Chief Science Officer was not surprised at the effect of his announcement. He cast a grateful look at Clayton and touched another button on the table.

"These are the locations of the dilithium crystals." Several large areas on the still rotating globe suspended above the table turned bright red. "Deposits of topaline are indicated by pulsating green." Close by the dilithium crystal deposits, sections of the globe began to flash green.

"The spacecraft wreckage is located here," a bright white spot appeared on one of the continents, close to the edge of a vast ocean.

"And the apparent civilization centers here." Three dots forming a triangle centered around the bright white spot denoting the wreckage appeared. Absolute silence reigned, everyone's attention riveted on the display.

"Other than the scientific parameters obtained by our sensor package, which evidently have no place in this general briefing," Edwards glanced at Captain Clayton, who smiled, "that is all we know about Serendipity."

"Serendipity?" a raised eyebrow revealed the First Officer's curiosity.

"Yes, sir. Unofficially, that's what my staff calls this planet, for obvious reasons."

"Sounds appropriate to me," Clayton interjected. "As you can see, we have several concerns which face us." The Captain sat back in his chair, "We need to investigate all of them at one time. Therefore, the following assignments are made. Commander?"

CDR Bo Donati activated his recording padd. Reading from it, he announced "Commander Edwards, you will assign two teams to investigate the deposits of dilithium and topaline. Find out how difficult it will be to extract them. Ask for any Engineering personnel you think you need."

Edwards nodded, staring to put together his teams in his head.

"Commander Bradford, your department, with the appropriate help from the Science Department, will check out the three civilization centers, making sure you abide by all tenets of The Prime Directive." Donati looked pointedly at the Operations Officer to emphasize his point.

"Yes, sir!" CDR Bradford acknowledged.

"And Lieutenant Commander MacDonald, your people will analyze the wreckage down to molecular level. We want to know everything about it."

CDR Angus MacDonald, Acting Chief Engineer, nodded, already listing the members of his team.

"There you have it. I'll expect a personal briefing from each of you in two hours," Clayton started toward the door, stopped and turned back. "Be careful out there, people." He left the room, followed closely by his First Officer.